First-Year Junior Harrier Wins Eight-Mile Road Race

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 October 1947, Page 2

First-Year Junior Harrier Wins EightMile Road Race

Saturday saw a very successful conclusion of the 1947 season of the Wanganui Harrier Club, when it held its annual road race of 8 1-3 miles, from the top of the Wangaehu hill to the Town Bridge. The race drew a large field of 30 runners sent away at different handicaps, competitors being present from Marton, Feilding, Palmerston North and Wanganui. The result was a win for C. O'Donnell, a junior runner of the Wanganui club with C. Guy (Wanganui) 2, M. Campbell (Feilding), being 3rd., and W. Twogood (Wanganui) 4th., while S. Robertson, running off virtual scratch, gained fastest time, doing the distance in 46min. 9secs.

A special trophy for fastest time for juniors was won by J. Galvin (Wan- ! ganui) in the time of 53.13. Another special trophy for the first, junior to iinish out o! a place was won by B. Kenning (Wanganui). With weather conditions .deal, and before a large number of spectators, B. Scaddon (Feilding) was first away off a 20-minute handicap, the remainder going off at short intervals until the last man. Robertson, Marton followed 16 minutes later. Over the first half of the journey very little changes in positions took place except for those being closely handicapped. At Kaitoke, O’Donell had overtaken the leaders by using sound judgment in running steadily and calmly, and after running with them for a short distance he went out in front on his own striding very well. Twogood was running well at this stage, with Carr, Bagley, Kenning and Scadderi teaming along very well and making ground. A little further back, Guy was simplyflying along with a powerful stride passing one after the other with apparent ease, as will be seen when he was 15th. to start, and at half-way was about 6th. place. Following Guy, and also running a great race was Penberthy, having dropped his comarker, Bevege, he was making every endeavour to catcli Guy Griffen (Marton) was just heading Bevege,_ but could not loot it with Penberthy, but he was still a force to be reckoned with after his win in Bulls to Marton race last week Then, a short distance back, Sheerin, Palmerston North was running exceptionally well, with Locke just ahead of him, still gaining ground. The back markers were starting to make ground here, Tabor and Lamerton teaming together, with Robertson going really well to overtake them, actually having reduced his handicap a little. Going along the flat entering Putiki, O'Donnell was well out. in front, with Guy still flying along and now up into 2nd. place, Twogood not going quite . so well at this stage, but Campbell, of Feilding was hanging on gamely. Kenning, having dropped his comarker was gradualy ga.ning time with Penberthy going- better than ever, and out to catch some of the small bunch in front of him. Carr and Bagley both appeared to have had a temporary lapse, as some of the middle markers were closing up. Robertson was still striding beautifullv but not quite able to catch the two" just in front. Passing Braeburn, O'Donnell had a clear lead and went on to cross the finishing line with nearly a nfinute to spare and not unduly distressed. Guy, in 2nd. place just found the dyttince a little too big to catch but he finished strongly of the 3rd. man, he probably ran his best race of the season to also record 7th. fastest lime. Penberthy had overtaken some on the final stages, but just failed to get amongst the place getters by one second, he too ran one of his best races lor 6th. fastest time. The remainder came in at close intervals, some of whom were able to stage a fine sprint, including Robertson, who got within one second of Tabor and Lamberton at the iinish, a very fine effort indeed. His time of 46.9, was only about 24 minutes slower than the record established by W. J. Wells last 1 Results.—C. O'Donnell (W) (17.20) 57.46 1; C. Guy kW) 11-00) 58.44, 2; M. Campell F’ (16.40) 59.13, 3; W. Twogod (W) (14.45) 59.33,/4, A. Penberthy (W) (9.45 ) 59.34, 5; B. Kenning (W) (14.30 ) 59.38, 6; P. Locke (W) (8.30) 60.25, 7; M. Griffen (Ml 10.00) 60.46, 8; W. J. Carr W) (12-45) 60.51 9; G. Bagley (W) (13.30) 60.52, 10; A. Bevege (W> (9.45) 61.00, 11; S. Kitchen (F) (13.00) 61.2, -2; R. Sheerin (P.N.) (6.40) C. Scadden (W) (14.30) 61.21, 14, H. walkei (W) (11.00) 61.39, 15; D. Mitchell (W) (10.30) 62.00, 16; M.> Brougham (P.N.) (8.30) 62.4, 17; I. Tabor (P.N.) and R. Lamberton (F) (4.15) 62.8, IS equal; S. Robertson

(M) (54m.) 62.9, 20. 'astest Time—S. Robertson (Ml, 46.9. , r . , I junior Fastest Time.—J. Galvin I ( *Next Saturday a 12 mile road race i will be held at Feilding and a 4 mile junior road race.